Vietnamese for Adult Beginners

Student Workbook - 12 Week Course

Student Name:

Course Start Date:

Course Syllabus Assessment Rubrics Back to Course

Welcome to Vietnamese Language Learning!

Chào mừng bạn! (Welcome!)

This workbook will be your companion throughout the 12-week Vietnamese for Adult Beginners course. It contains:

How to Use This Workbook

  1. Bring to Every Class: This is your primary learning tool
  2. Complete Exercises: Practice regularly for best results
  3. Track Progress: Use the self-assessment sections
  4. Review Often: Revisit previous weeks' content
  5. Add Notes: Write additional notes in margins

Learning Tips

Practice Daily: Even 15 minutes makes a difference
Don't Fear Mistakes: They're essential to learning
Use Audio Resources: Listen to pronunciation models
Speak Out Loud: Private practice builds confidence
Be Patient: Language learning takes time
Immerse Yourself: Seek out Vietnamese media and culture
Ask Questions: Your teacher is here to help!

Table of Contents

Course Information

  • Course Syllabus Overview........................Page 3
  • Learning Objectives................................Page 4
  • Assessment Overview...............................Page 5
  • Resources & Reference..............................Page 6

Week-by-Week Content

  • Week 1: Tones & Introduction......................Page 7
  • Week 2: Greetings & Self-Introduction.............Page 15
  • Week 3: Family & Relationships....................Page 23
  • Week 4: Numbers, Time & Calendar..................Page 31
  • Week 5: Food & Dining.............................Page 39
  • Week 6: Shopping & Money..........................Page 47
  • Week 7: Directions & Transportation...............Page 55
  • Week 8: Daily Routines & Activities...............Page 63
  • Week 9: Health & Body Parts.......................Page 71
  • Week 10: Weather & Seasons........................Page 79
  • Week 11: Hobbies & Interests......................Page 87
  • Week 12: Review & Final Project...................Page 95

Reference Materials

  • Complete Vocabulary List (A-Z)....................Page 103
  • Grammar Quick Reference...........................Page 110
  • Tone Chart & Practice.............................Page 115
  • Common Phrases Cheat Sheet........................Page 118
  • Vietnamese Keyboard Guide.........................Page 120
  • Cultural Notes Compilation........................Page 122
  • Continued Learning Resources......................Page 125

Course Syllabus Overview

Course Goals

By the end of 12 weeks, you will be able to:

Weekly Time Commitment

Assessment Schedule

Week Assessment Type Weight
Ongoing Participation & Homework 45%
Week 4 Mid-term Progress Check 15%
Week 8 Progress Evaluation 15%
Week 12 Final Project & Assessment 25%

Grading Scale

Grade Range Grade Range Grade Range
A 93-100% B 83-89% C 73-79%
A- 90-92% B- 80-82% C- 70-72%
Remember: This course emphasizes growth and effort. Success comes from consistent practice and active participation!

Week 1: Introduction & Vietnamese Tones

Learning Objectives

This week you will:

Vocabulary (20-30 words)

Core Greetings

Xin chào Hello
Tạm biệt Goodbye
Cảm ơn Thank you
Xin lỗi Sorry/Excuse me
Có Yes
Không No

Numbers 0-10

Không 0
Một 1
Hai 2
Ba 3
Bốn 4
Năm 5
Sáu 6
Bảy 7
Tám 8
Chín 9
Mười 10

The Six Vietnamese Tones

Important!

Vietnamese is a tonal language - the pitch/melody of your voice changes the meaning of words!

Tone Chart with "ma"

#
Tone Name
Mark
Syllable
Meaning
Pitch Pattern
1
Mid-level
(none)
ma
ghost
→ (flat)
2
High rising
á
má
mother
↗ (go up)
3
Low falling
à
mà
but
↘ (go down)
4
Rising
ả
mả
tomb
↗↘ (curve)
5
Creaky/Wavy
ã
mã
horse
↘↗ (dip up)
6
Heavy/Glottal
ạ
mạ
seedling
↓ (drop stop)
Practice Tip:

Listen to native speakers and repeat! Use the audio resources provided in the course. Practice each tone slowly and deliberately before trying to speak quickly.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Listen to your teacher and circle the tone you hear

Exercise 2: Practice saying each tone 10 times

Exercise 3: Record yourself and compare to native speaker audio

Tips for Success

Listen to Vietnamese music and podcasts daily
Practice writing Vietnamese words with correct tone marks
Find a language exchange partner
Watch Vietnamese movies with subtitles
Use flashcard apps for vocabulary practice
Join online Vietnamese learning communities
Set realistic daily practice goals
Celebrate your progress every week!

Quick Reference

Common Phrases You'll Use Often

Vietnamese English Usage
Xin chào Hello General greeting
Cảm ơn Thank you Expressing gratitude
Xin lỗi Sorry/Excuse me Apologizing or getting attention
Tạm biệt Goodbye Formal farewell
Tôi không hiểu I don't understand When you need clarification
Xin nhắc lại Please repeat Asking for repetition

Study Resources

Track Your Progress

Weekly Self-Assessment

At the end of each week, rate your confidence level (1-5 stars):

Week Topic Confidence Level (★☆☆☆☆)
1 Tones & Introduction
2 Greetings & Self-Introduction
3 Family & Relationships
4 Numbers, Time & Calendar
5 Food & Dining
6 Shopping & Money
7 Directions & Transportation
8 Daily Routines & Activities
9 Health & Body Parts
10 Weather & Seasons
11 Hobbies & Interests
12 Review & Final Project

Your Vietnamese Learning Journey Starts Here!

This workbook is your companion for the next 12 weeks. Use it actively, add your own notes, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Every step forward is progress!

Chúc bạn học tốt! (Good luck with your studies!)

Student Workbook Version: 1.0
Last Updated: March 2026

Course Syllabus Assessment Rubrics Back to Course